More Stuff Happening

Yes. Even more stuff has happened since last month. First off, the online magazine Words of the Lamb has published not only my micro memoir / testimony but also three of my poems:

God’s Presence on 5/1/2022

See the Rainbow

The North Star

The Flame Tree

Many thanks to Sally Cronin for once again featuring me on her blog:

Smorgasbord Posts from Your Archives 2023 #Potluck – #Writing #Spotlight by Andrew McDowell

And to Lisa V. Proulx for a wonderful interview:

Author Interviews

During the last week of April, I chose to take a hiatus from most of my social media sites. Despite all my efforts to cut back on how many times I logged in, I was still feeling anxious and stressed about them. I feel now that it was because it wasn’t only time I should’ve been focusing on, but my actual activities/habits on them as well.

I’ve watched a lot of TED talks lately, including on social media, and some of the speakers discussed something known as FOMO, or the fear of missing out. Some of my shares/posts/tweets online were kind of like that; they had become more of a compulsive obligation. That is something I will need to change.

So, I’m once again examining and reconsidering my social media habits and how I can make them feel more productive and positive. For the time being, I do not think I will be as active as I was before. It’s also in the back of my mind that I might eventually quit a couple of social media sites, but that hasn’t been decided yet.


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Comments

33 responses to “More Stuff Happening”

    1. Andrew McDowell Avatar

      Thanks, Annette.

      Liked by 1 person

  1. Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life. Avatar

    Thanks for sharing the link for your post Andrew. I stepped back from several sites a few years ago and really only focus on Twitter and one group on Facebook that I am a moderator on. I have a Linkedin account from back when I was working in a business environment, but only because more and more authors are using it. You generally share a lot of my posts which I do appreciate but just happy to see when you have time. x

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Andrew McDowell Avatar

      You’re welcome, Sally. Thank you for understanding.

      I joined Twitter, and Tumblr, only because WordPress could share links to them. Tumblr would probably be the first to go if any, as I don’t have a lot of followers and interaction compared to others.

      Twitter definitely felt like a time-eater, and though I have a lot of followers, sometimes it feels like the pool is too big.

      I was on Facebook first to connect with friends and family. I joined LinkedIn after a session in college about transitioning to the professional world.

      It’s all a lot to consider. Hopefully I’ll figure it out.

      Liked by 3 people

  2. JamieAdStories Avatar

    Congratulations on having more work shared. I know what you mean about wanting to check social media a lot. I almost twitch about it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Andrew McDowell Avatar

      Thank you, Jamie.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Gabriela Marie Milton Avatar

    Congratulations Andrew and I hope you find the right balance.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Andrew McDowell Avatar

      Thanks, Gabriela.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Gabriela Marie Milton Avatar

        My pleasure Andrew.

        Liked by 1 person

  4. Chris Hall Avatar

    Well done, Andrew!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Andrew McDowell Avatar

      Thanks, Chris!

      Liked by 1 person

  5. sharonledwith Avatar
    sharonledwith

    Seems you have a lot on your writing plate, Andrew. And that’s a good thing! Congrats, my friend! All the best!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Andrew McDowell Avatar

      Thanks, Sharon.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Liz Gauffreau Avatar

    Congratulations on your most recent publications, Andrew! I enjoyed reading them. I have the feeling that more people are feeling the strain of social media. FOMO is a powerful motivator, unfortunately.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Andrew McDowell Avatar

      Thank you, Liz.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Liz Gauffreau Avatar

        You’re welcome, Andrew.

        Liked by 1 person

  7. V.M.Sang Avatar

    Quitting social media sites is probably a good idea. I quit Twitter. Not because of Musk, but because I found it wasn’t very helpful, although I know many authors swear by it.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. lamarrwenrich Avatar

    So Amazing!!
    Congratulations
    So happy for you 😍😍😍

    Liked by 1 person

      1. lamarrwenrich Avatar

        My pleasure 😊

        Liked by 1 person

  9. robbiesinspiration Avatar

    Hi Andrew, you’ve had an exciting month. I’m going to follow the links now.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Andrew McDowell Avatar

      Thanks, Robbie.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Ari Avatar

    Congratulations, Andrew! Great to see your work being showcased. As to social media, it is very much the addiction of the 21st Century. Have you seen the documentary The Social Dilemma?

    I try my hardest to go social media at a certain time during the day, to stop me for “binging” through it. It messes with our focus, concentration and never leaves us feeling happy and fulfilled once we come off it.

    It has its uses but taking time away from it or reducing our time on it can make a big difference. but that FOMO is a strong one!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Andrew McDowell Avatar

      Thanks, Ari. I’ve never heard of that documentary. I’ll have to look it up.

      I know exactly what you mean about social media messing up focus and causing a feeling of unfulfillment. It happened to me when I tried restricting it.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Ari Avatar

        The Social Dilemma is on Netflix, I spotted it recently and then rewatched it (embarrassingly, I kept messing on my phone while watching it!) I need to work on that

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Andrew McDowell Avatar

          I watched it last week. I found it insightful and interesting. I still have a lot to work on myself, and I’m still trying to figure out how to move forward.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. Ari Avatar

            Yes, it’s actually a good documentary, especially as the people in it are those who have first-hand knowledge from what these social media platforms do and how they themselves made them more addictive without considering the consequences.

            I am trying so hard to learn to keep my phone away or on do not disturb a lot more.

            Liked by 1 person

  11. Layla Todd Avatar

    Congratulations, Andrew! Here is to another great month. <3

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Andrew McDowell Avatar

      Thanks, Layla.

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Lisa Orchard Avatar

    Congrats, Andrew on your writing success! I hear you about social media. It can be a time suck. I would rather be writing. Lol!

    Liked by 1 person

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